To help first responders handle the potential challenges aligned with energy storage systems (ESS) and solar energy, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has updated a first-of-its-kind ESS safety training for the fire service with new technology insights, relevant research, and expanded solar considerations. 

The surging popularity of ESS and photovoltaic systems (PV) in both commercial and residential settings underscores the need for clear, current fire protection and suppression guidance for first responders. While alternative energy systems offer significant environmental and economic benefits, they can also pose potential harm to people and property, especially first responders who may encounter HAZMAT issues, thermal runaway concerns, battery explosion and re-ignition, and off-gassing.

NFPA®'s self-paced online Energy Storage and Solar Systems Safety Training, Fire Service Edition* was underwritten by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initially in 2015 and again recently. The enhanced 3-hour module uses engaging videos, animations, simulations, and review exercises to inform firefighters about basic electrical theory, types of PV installations, battery chemistries, and response strategies. Fire leaders and training personnel are encouraged to educate themselves and others within their purview on ESS failure modes, pre-incident planning, shutdown, ventilation, and other emergency response considerations. Upon successful completion of the training, students will receive a certificate.

“By all accounts, alternative energy use in the United States will continue to grow with states including Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, and Hawaii mandating widespread energy storage system deployment. We can’t let technology outpace safety,” says NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. “It is critical that fire officers, trainers, firefighters, and AHJs are well-versed on ESS and solar emergency preparedness and response - for their own safety and the safety of others.”

In addition to responder training, NFPA has been developing a new standard to establish criteria to minimize hazards associated with ESS. NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, will be published in 2019. It will work in concert with the new National Electrical Code Article 706.

Visit nfpa.org/ess for relevant codes and standards, research and related content.

Bloomington-based Envisage Technologies, the leading provider of public safety training and compliance solutions, announced that the Kentucky Fire Commission has awarded Envisage a contract for the Acadis® Readiness Suite.

“The Kentucky Fire Commission looks forward to our partnership with Envisage and utilizing the Acadis Readiness Suite. We are excited for the opportunities this program will provide to all firefighters within the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Fire Commission Interim Executive Director Bruce Roberts.

Acadis, a highly secure and comprehensive Web-based training and compliance management system, will support the aggregation and tracking of comprehensive training and certification records for over 100,000 students per year enrolled in the Kentucky Fire Commission’s State Fire Rescue Training program, which certifies volunteer and career firefighters in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Acadis will support the entire hire-to-retire lifecycle to ensure that each firefighter remains in compliance with Kentucky certification requirements.

The Kentucky Fire Commission will also use Acadis to provide secure access for firefighters to review their personal training and certification records through any modern web browser. In addition, Acadis will provide automated digital tracking of the annual training requirements for career and volunteer firefighters, which will replace a time intensive paper-based process for checking and validating these training hours.

“We look forward to assisting the Kentucky Fire Commission as they modernize their training management processes,” Envisage CEO Ari Vidali said. “Acadis will streamline the operations and sharing of information between fire departments across the state, and make training and certification records far more accessible to departments and firefighters.”

The Kentucky Fire Commission is the second Kentucky state public safety agency to utilize Acadis for training management, joining the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training.

https://www.envisagenow.com/